Wireless Service Provider System for Selling and/or Activating Wireless Services for a Wireless Device

ABSTRACT

A method and system for the purchase and activation of services on a wireless device are provided. The method and system include the use of an airtime card with a near field communication tag with a unique identifier code used to improve a user&#39;s experience and ease of activation/provisioning of services for the wireless device. In some aspects, the unique identifier may be generated during the activation and purchase of the wireless service and it is not required that the unique identifier code be recorded in a backend system of the wireless provider prior to activation. The services to be purchased and activated may include at least one of the following: out of the box activation, device upgrades, device reactivations, wireless number changes, wireless number porting, and the addition or purchasing of services including airtime, data, and/or SMS enrollments or data content.

CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/976,760 filed on Dec. 21, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,708,742, issuedJul. 7, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposesas if fully set forth herein, which application claims the benefit fromU.S. Provisional Application No. 62/094,477 filed on Dec. 19, 2014,which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fullyset forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Field of the Disclosure

The invention relates to a system for activating wireless services onwireless devices. More particularly, the invention relates to methodsfor activating wireless services on wireless devices using a systemincluding a near field communication tag.

2. Related Art

A large number of wireless service plans exist for customers desiringwireless services such as data, talk, and text messaging. To obtainthese wireless services, customers generally have the option of enteringinto a post-paid service, e.g., contract for a period of time, or apre-paid, contract-free service. The latter offers customers the freedomto initiate and stop wireless services without incurring expensivecancellation fees associated with a post-paid service.

Generally, companies that provide post-paid wireless services arewireless carriers or Mobile Network Operators (MNO) that maintain andcontrol their own wireless networks. A MNO heavily relies on backendsystems to address any provisional, billing, security and data issuesthat might threaten the health of their networks. On the other hand, aMobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) is a mobile operator thattypically does not own its own frequency spectrum or have its ownnetwork infrastructure. MVNOs negotiate and enter into businessagreements with third party wireless carriers or MNOs to purchase theright to use their networks for wireless services including volume ofdata and number of minutes/text messages used.

The services provided by both the MNOs and MVNOs often implementactivation cards, also known as airtime cards, for the sale andactivation and/or addition of a wireless service, e.g. talk airtime,data, or text messaging. Activation cards generally include a uniquecode that may include a scratch off area obscuring the unique code.Codes are correlated to a wireless service and must be recorded in aservice provider's database prior to distributing the activation card toa respective point-of-sale and reaching the customer. A record of everyairtime card distributed is therefore kept for the activation of thecorresponding wireless service until the card becomes obsolete throughredemption or expiration. Once a card is sold to a user, the user mustmanually scratch off the covering of the code and manually enter thecode and for activation of the wireless service. Codes are generallymade long and complex to prevent unauthorized use of the codes toactivate non-purchased wireless services.

Convenience, timeliness, and reliability of the wireless providers'backend systems are key factors that play into a user's experience. Bydeveloping a system to improve at least these factors, a more positiveexperience can be provided to the user. The improved experience willhelp retain customer base and increase the amount of customers willingto purchase wireless services from MNOs and MVNOs. In order to do so,the following needs can be addressed by enabling new improved systemsthat can be implemented for the activation of a wireless service.

A need exists to decrease the amount of processing of the backendsystems of wireless providers to provide faster activation of wirelessservices. In particular, a solution for a simplified and safe way tomaintain and manage inventory of airtime cards used for the activationof wireless services is desired.

Another need in the art also exists for an error free and more expedientmethod and system for customers to extend cellular services usingairtime cards.

A further need exists in the art for a method, system and application toenable wireless providers and retailers to sell and authenticatewireless services in convenient locations, including transientlocations, in an expedited manner, and without compromising unauthorizedactivation of services or the security of the wireless providers'backend systems.

Accordingly, a more convenient, secure, and time efficient approach isneeded for the sale and activation of wireless services.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the invention,providing a system and associated methods for activating services andsubscriptions on wireless devices and/or systems implementing a nearfield reader. In particular, the invention is intended to solve thechallenges by using a near field communication tag with at least oneunique identifier that corresponds to a purchased/selected wirelessservice and/or subscription. According to some aspects of thedisclosure, the services requested to be activated may include at leastone of initial provisioning or activation, device upgrades, devicereactivations, wireless number changes, the addition or purchase ofservices including airtime, data and text messaging, enrollments orcontent, and wireless number porting for wireless devices that havealready been activated.

According to aspects of the disclosure, a system for selling a wirelessservice is disclosed. The system can include a near field communicationreader in communication a computer. The computer including a processorand a storage device can be in logical communication with the processor.The storage device may also include executable software stored andexecutable on demand to be operative with the processor to cause thecomputer to: receive, through the near field communication reader, aunique identifier of a near field communication tag; receive a paymentconfirmation for the wireless service corresponding to the uniqueidentifier of the near field communication tag; and transmit anactivation message including the unique identifier of the near fieldcommunication tag to a wireless provider for authorization of a wirelessservice.

According to some additional aspects, a method of selling wirelessservices for a wireless device is disclosed. The method including:receiving, through the near field communication reader, a uniqueidentifier of a near field communication tag corresponding to a wirelessservice; receiving payment confirmation for a wireless servicecorresponding to the unique identifier of the near field communicationtag; and transmitting an activation message including the uniqueidentifier of the near field communication tag to a wireless providerfor activation of the wireless services.

In yet additional aspects of the disclosure, a method of sellingwireless services for a wireless device is disclosed. The methodincluding: receiving, through the near field communication reader, aunique identifier of a near field communication tag corresponding to awireless service; locking the unique identifier corresponding to thewireless service being purchased; and transmitting an authorizationmessage including the unique identifier of the near field communicationtag to a processor of a wireless provider to generate an activationauthorization of the wireless services corresponding to the uniqueidentifier of the near field communication tag.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain aspects of theinvention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may bebetter understood, and in order that the present contribution to the artmay be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional aspects ofthe invention that will be described below and which will also form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one aspects of the inventionin detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited inits application to the details of construction and to the arrangementsof the components set forth in the following description or illustratedin the drawings. The invention is capable of aspects in addition tothose described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conceptionupon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the invention. It is important, therefore,that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructionsinsofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above mentioned features and aspects of the disclosure will becomemore apparent with reference to the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like referencenumerals denote like elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram with exemplary components of awireless device in accordance with aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary wireless device with a display of ahome screen and FIG. 2B a subsequent screen of a wireless serviceactivation application with a graphical user interface, both which maybe used for the selection and control of the activation of a wirelessservice in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 3A illustrates a conventional airtime card used for the sale andactivation of a wireless service;

FIG. 3B illustrates an airtime card with a near field communication tagthat can be used according to aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of an exemplary wireless serviceactivation system in accordance with aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates exemplary method steps which may be used to implementthe system of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates an operation flow diagram with exemplary method stepsthat may be used for activating a wireless service on a wireless deviceat the point-of-sale according to aspects of the system of thedisclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates an operation flow diagram with exemplary method stepsthat may be used for selling and activating a wireless service at thepoint-of-sale using a near field communication tag of an airtime cardaccording to aspects of the disclosure; and

FIG. 8 illustrates an operation flow diagram with exemplary method stepsthat may be used for implementing an airtime card with a near fieldcommunication tag according to aspects of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In this specification and claims it is to be understood that referenceto a wireless device is intended to encompass electronic devices such asmobile phones, tablet computers, gaming systems, MP3 players, personalcomputers, PDAs, and the like. A “wireless device” is intended toencompass any compatible mobile technology computing device that canconnect to a wireless communication network, such as mobile phones,mobile equipment, mobile stations, user equipment, cellular phones,smartphones, handsets, or the like (e.g., Apple iPhone, Google Androidbased devices, BlackBerry based devices, other types of PDAs orsmartphones), wireless dongles, remote alert devices, or other mobilecomputing devices that may be supported by a wireless network. The term“wireless device” may be interchangeably used and referred to herein as“wireless handset,” “handset,” “mobile device,” “device,” “mobilephones,” “mobile equipment,” “mobile station,” “user equipment,”“cellular phone,” “smartphones,” “monitoring device” or “phone.” Withrespect to remote alert devices, data transmission over a wirelessnetwork, including on a pre-paid basis using a near field communicationcard, is contemplated for alarm fobs, wireless remote camera devices,vehicle monitoring systems, home based security systems that do notrequire a landline or use both a landline and a wireless network foradded reliability, and similar systems where wireless networkauthorization may be provided with a near field communication card. Thevehicle monitoring system may include a vehicle communication interface,components to determine vehicle operation, and/or the like. The homebased security system may include door sensors, window sensors, motiondetectors, interface devices, and/or the like.

A “point-of-sale” as used herein can refer to a location where one ormore wireless devices and/or services can be sold and/or activated whichmay or may not require sales personnel. A point-of-sale can include, forexample, a vending machine, an automated kiosk, a retailer store, a gasstation, and such.

Wireless devices may connect to a “wireless network” or “network” andare intended to encompass any type of wireless network to obtain orprovide mobile phone services through the use of a wireless device, suchas the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) network,Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, Long-Term Evolution (LTE)network that may utilize the teachings of the present application tosell, activate, monitor, redeem, and/or track, the activation of one ormore wireless services.

Reference in this specification to “one aspect,” “an aspect,” “otheraspects,” “one or more aspects” or the like means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theaspect is included in at least one aspect of the disclosure. Theappearances of, for example, the phrase “in one aspect” in variousplaces in the specification are not necessarily all referring to thesame aspect, nor are separate or alternative aspects mutually exclusiveof other aspects. Moreover, various features are described which may beexhibited by some aspects and not by others. Similarly, variousrequirements are described which may be requirements for some aspectsbut not for other aspects.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram with exemplary components of awireless device 104 in accordance with aspects of the disclosure isshown. In particular, the exemplary components which include a nearfield communication interface 105, e.g., reader or scanner, which may beused in conjunction with one or more near field communication tag(s)(shown in FIG. 3B) during the distribution, verification, and/orsale/purchase, of a wireless service. The near field communication tagmay include a radio frequency identification chip that includes ISO/IEC14443 protocols. Other uses of the near field communication interface105 for the activation of a wireless service can include but are notlimited to a change of phone settings, an activation message (e.g. textmessage) to be created and sent, starting of an app. (e.g. paymentapp.), and the such.

The near field communication interface 105 can be in communication witha processor 114, memory 116, and a user interface 122. The processor 114may be a central processing unit configured to execute instructions suchas instructions related to software programs. Any processor can be usedfor the electronic device as understood to those of ordinary skill inthe art. The display 118 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD).Preferably the LCD includes a backlight to illuminate the various colorliquid crystals to provide a more colorful display. The user interface122 may be any type of physical input as readily employed in the field.For example, the user interface 122 may have physical buttons.Alternatively, the user interface 122 may be implemented on atouchscreen 180, a motion sensor (not shown), and the such. Finally,wireless device 104 may include a power supply 158.

The memory 116 of the wireless device 104 may further include anoperating system 148, a communication component 150, a contact/motioncomponent 152, a graphics component 154, and the like. The operatingsystem 148 together with the various components provides softwarefunctionality for each of the components of the wireless device 104. Thememory 116 may include a high-speed, random-access memory. Also, thememory 116 may be a non-volatile memory, such as magnetic fixed diskstorage, SIM, UICC, cloud-based memory, flash memory or the like. Thesevarious components may be connected through various communication linesincluding a data bus 170.

The wireless device 104 can include an audio input/output device 156.The audio input/output device 156 may include speakers, speaker outputs,and the like, providing sound output; and may include microphones,microphone inputs, and the like, for receiving sound inputs. In anexemplary aspect, the audio input/output device 156 may include ananalog to digital converter and a digital to audio converter for audioinput and output functions respectively.

In another aspect, the wireless device 104 may include a transceiver120. The wireless device 104 may provide radio and signal processing asneeded to access a wireless network for services. The processor 114 maybe configured to process call functions, data transfer, and the like andprovide an array of services, based on those functions, to the user.

In an exemplary aspect, the touchscreen 180 of the invention may beimplemented in the display 118 and may detect a presence and location ofa touch of a user within the display area. For example, touching thedisplay 118 of the wireless device 104 with a finger or hand. Thetouchscreen 180 may also sense other passive objects, such as a stylusand/or, in some aspects, for example, the touchscreen 180 may serve asthe near field communication interface 105 when the near fieldcommunication tag(s) include a conductive component. Additionally, thewireless device 104 may further include a touch screen controller 160.

In one operation, the display 118 may show various objects 190associated with applications for execution by the processor 114. Forexample, a user may touch the display 118, particularly the touchscreen180, to interact with the objects 190. That is, touching an object 190may execute an application in the processor 114 associated with theobject 190 may execute an application in the processor 114 associatedwith the object 190 that is stored in memory 116. Additionally oralternatively, touching an object 190 may open a menu of options to beselected by the user. The display 118 may include a plurality of objects190 for the user to interact with. Moreover the display 118 may includea plurality of screens. The display 118 showing one screen at a time.The user may interact with the display 118 to move a screen into view onthe display 118. Various objects 190 may be located in each of thescreens.

The touchscreen 180 may be implemented as a resistive touchscreen, asurface acoustic wave touch screen, a capacitive touchscreen,self-capacitance sensors, infrared sensors, dispersive signaltechnology, acoustic pulse recognition, or the like. As previouslymentioned, the touchscreen 180 can function as the near fieldcommunication interface 105 when conductive near field communicationtags can be implemented according to aspects of the present disclosure.

The display 118 is generally configured to display a graphical userinterface (GUI) 122 that provides an easy to use visual interfacebetween a user of the wireless device 104 and the operating system orapplication(s) running on the wireless device 104. Generally, the GUIpresents programs, files and operational options with graphical images.During operation, the user may select and activate various graphicalimages displayed on the display 118 in order to initiate functions andtasks associated therewith.

In another aspect of the invention, the memory 116 of a wireless device104 can include a database for storing user information. The userinformation may include information such as full name, address, emailaddress, contact number, credit card information, and the like. In oneaspect, the database may include security questions. In another aspect,the database may include user specified preferences.

In yet another aspect of the application, the memory 116 of a wirelessdevice 104 can include a wireless service activation application 155.The application 155 may be preinstalled or downloaded from anapplication store. The wireless service activation application 155 maybe configured to control use of the wireless device 104 based oninteraction with a wireless provider backend server (shown in FIG. 4)and/or one or more near field communication tag(s) (shown in FIG. 3B)for the activation of a wireless service. The wireless serviceactivation application 155 may utilize an internal accounting module toestablish an account with a representation of prepaid funds or availablecredit for wireless services. In some aspects, the internal accountingmodule of the wireless service activation application 155 may also beused to store and/or transmit a plurality of charge rates as well as abilling/payment algorithm. The internal accounting module can classifyeach wireless service (data, voice, SMS) into one of a plurality ofbilling categories; receive data correlated to the near fieldcommunication tag(s) identifier, select a charge rate corresponding tothat billing category; calculate an appropriate charge for the datausage, voice usage, and SMS usage in real time by using the selectedcharge rate; and apply this appropriate charge to the account. Forexample, upon the retrieval and/or verification of a unique identifierof a near field communication tag by the near field communicationinterface 105, the one or more steps may automatically take place toapply an appropriate charge to the account.

In some aspects, once the internal accounting module determines that theamount of wireless service (data, voice, SMS) used has depleted theaccount zero, the processor 114 may interact with the internalaccounting module and/or the wireless provider backend system to limit,prevent, alert the user, and/or control further use of the wirelessdevice 104 as further described herein. The controlled use can includesuspending voice calls, allowing limited voice calls, allowing all voicecalls, suspending text messages, allowing limited text messages,allowing all text messages, suspending wireless data service, limitingwireless data service, throttling wireless data service, and allowingall wireless data service. In this aspect, the wireless serviceactivation application 155 may also include a module for one or moresystem provider host processors, which store wireless deviceidentification information; store operating codes needed for wirelessdevice activation; and store operating codes needed for setting prepaidfunds or available credit amounts in wireless device accounts whereby,upon receipt of wireless device identification information from a nearfield communication tag, the host processor may be capable ofascertaining the operating codes needed to activate that particularwireless device or needed to set its account amount.

FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary wireless device with a display of ahome screen and FIG. 2B a subsequent screen of a wireless serviceactivation application with a graphical user interface, both which maybe used for the selection and control of the activation of a wirelessservice in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure. The home screen200 may include a plurality of icons, e.g. 204, and is not limited to acalling icon, texting icon, internet icon, and the like, allowing a userto perform one or more functions on the wireless device 104. Forexample, the home screen 200 may also display icons for one or moreapplication that have been downloaded from the Internet orpre-installed, and unlocked/retrieved using one or more near fieldcommunication tag(s). In some aspects, a digital wallet/paymentapplication such as Google Wallet™, Google Play™, Android Market™, AppleStore™, or the like, may also function with the one or more near fieldcommunication tag(s) to process a payment during the activation of oneor more selected wireless service.

Some of the payment and/or authentication applications may be stored ina robust manner that prevents a user from deleting, modifying,tampering, and the like, with the application's functionality. In thisregard, the activation service application 255, for example, can providedata management information, as depicted in subsequent screen 250, butmay not allow or limit user's input for the activation and/or control ofthe wireless services. Further, in some aspects the provision of theoptions depicted in the subsequent screen 250 to the user may only bemade available during activation of a wireless service and verificationof a unique identifier of a near field communication tag.

Referring now to FIG. 3A, a conventional airtime card used for the saleand activation of a wireless service is depicted. In particular, theconventional airtime card 300 may include a unique code 315, locatedunder a scratch-off panel, which must be manually entered into the phoneafter the retailer accepts payment. The unique code 315 under thescratch-off panel is often long, i.e. 16 digit code, is inconvenient,time consuming, and error prone. Shortening the code however cancompromise the security of the system and allow for unauthorizedactivation of services. Further, because the code must be kept hiddenuntil payment has been accepted, although it is not tamper proof and isinconvenient, the scratch-off panel is needed as a cost effective meansto keep the unique code 315 hidden as it has previously been recordedand correlated to a credit amount for a particular wirelessservice/wireless services packet, in backend system's database.

Prerecording and correlating the unique code 315 in the wirelessprovider backend system's database has certain drawbacks. Mainly becauseafter the conventional airtime card 300 is distributed to the point ofsale/customer, the correlated service for each unique code 315 cannot bepractically changed. This inadequacy limits how and where theconventional airtime card 300 can be sold to the consumer as the dangerof scratch-off panel tampering to obtain the wireless services in afraudulent manner/without payment exists. The sale of these conventionalairtime cards 300 as a result must be sold by a clerk and kept undersurveillance.

Further, the conventional airtime card 300 may include a second code ora bar code 305 correlating the service provided by the unique code 315to a price for the wireless service offered and advertised 310. Theoffered and advertised service 310 includes the wireless serviceprovider and the specific amount of data and/or time being sold by eachconventional airtime card 300. This requires that the point-of-sale(shown in FIG. 4 as 420) keep a number of conventional airtime cards 300with different plan options in stock for each of the service providers.Because some wireless services, amounts, and companies, may sell morethan others, a large stock must be maintained at each point-of-sale 420.

Referring now to FIG. 3B, an airtime card 350 with a near fieldcommunication tag 360 according to aspects of the present disclosure isillustrated. In particular, the airtime card 350 can include a nearfield communication tag 360 including data that can correspond to awireless service. In some aspects, more than one near fieldcommunication tag 360 can be included in the airtime card 350. The nearfield communication tag 360 may have either read only data capability ormay have rewriteable data capability. As such, configurability, memory,security, data retention and write endurance, may all vary according tothe activation application. The various variations of the near fieldcommunication tags included and number of tags which can be utilized tostreamline the wireless service activation process, provide a moresecure sale and activation process, provide for less data storage inbackend databases, post distribution programmability of the airtimecards, and eliminate point-of-sale requirements.

One skilled in the art will appreciate from this disclosure that theairtime card 350 with the near field communication tag 360 can but doesnot need to be in the form of a card. Convenience, size, and ease of usemay call for a smaller keychain type of airtime cards. In some aspects,for example, the data from the near field communication tag 360 may bemay be transferred to a digital credit card type of device at thepoint-of-sale 420. More importantly, according to some aspects of thedisclosure a near field communication equipped wireless device, e.g.smart phone or remote alarm device, can be paired with the near fieldcommunication tag 360 to automate a task including, for example, achange in phone settings, a text to be created and sent, an app. to belaunched, or any number of commands to be executed, for thepurchase/sale, payment, activation of a wireless service, and/ormonitoring of wireless services sold/authorized. As previouslymentioned, it is to be understood that the airtime card is not limitedto the sale of “minutes” but can include any other type of datatransmission over the wireless network which that be sold as a service.

The label of the airtime card 350 may also include a generic label 355that corresponds to more than one type/amount of wireless service,and/or in some aspects, wireless carrier. This may be achieved whenusing a reprogrammable near field communication tag 360 which can beprogrammed during the selection and payment, for example. By providingfor reprogramming capability of the near field communication tag 360during the selection and payment, the selection of airtime cards 350that must be kept in inventory at the point-of-sale 420 can besignificantly reduced. Further, by simply bringing the near fieldcommunication enabled wireless device to a distance of 10 cm or less,the activation and purchase of wireless services can be automated andstreamlined. For example, quicker verification of codes can result sincethe system is more secure and the need of storing all unique codes andcorrelated services on a backend system's database prior to distributionis eliminated. Further, the need for the scratch off panel and manualtransmission of the complex unique code is also eliminated even in thesimplest implementations.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a schematic diagram of an exemplary wirelessservice activation system according to aspects of the disclosure isdepicted. In particular, the wireless service activation system 400 canbe used to activate wireless network service(s) on a wireless device 104implementing various aspects of the near field communication systemsdisclosed. Unlike conventional activation processes for wireless devicesthat can require a user 412 to contact a live customer servicerepresentative, utilize an interactive voice response system from alandline or another wireless device, or access an Internet website bythe user 412 to use a website activation system and enter longactivation codes to activate services on a wireless device, the presentwireless service activation system 400 can be used to activate awireless device 104 and/or activate services with automatedcode/information gathering and without requiring access to an agent,website, or general wireless or landline telephone system.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the activated service(s) mayinclude, for example, activation of a wireless service after or duringthe initial activation of the wireless device 104 by a user 412. Theinitial activation of the wireless device 104 may be described herein as“out of the box” activation and may take place at the point-of-sale 420.In some additional aspects, the services requested to be activated areone or combinations of: airtime, text messaging, and data plans, but mayalso include at least one of device upgrades, device reactivations,wireless number changes, and wireless number porting for wirelessdevices that have previously been activated. The wireless device 104 tohave services activated may include a mobile phone, a smartphone, awireless computing device or laptop, a tablet, a wireless handhelddevice, a mobile computing device, or other type of wireless devicehaving services that can be activated wirelessly.

According to some aspects of the disclosure, the point-of-sale 420 caninclude, for example, a store retailer, a vending machine, a kiosk, andthe such, which may also include a near field communication system 425that can be used for payment and/or executing security and activationprotocols using one or more near field communication tag(s) 360.Further, the near field communication system 425 at the point-of-sale420 can be configured to communicate with the near field communicationtag 360 and in some aspects the wireless device 104, which may also beconfigured to be in communication with a wireless provider backendsystem 422. Communication with the wireless device 104 may include, forexample, one or more of: communication using the wireless device nearfield communication interface 105, a wire connector, a data messagingchannel, such as an Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD)channel, a Short Message Service (SMS) messaging channel or a WirelessApplication Protocol (WAP) messaging channel, a personal area network(PAN), such as a Bluetooth™ communication, an induction wirelesscommunication, an infrared wireless communication, an ultra-widebandcommunication, a ZigBee™ communication, a wireless fidelitycommunication channel, and a local area network (LAN).

Communication between the near field communication system 425 of thepoint-of-sale 420 and the wireless device 104 may be used to transmit apayment for a wireless service and/or automatically retrieve and/orgenerate wireless device-related information based on a user's inputselection. According to some aspects of the present disclosure, thewireless service selection can be made by scanning a near fieldcommunication tag 360 of an airtime card 350 using the near fieldcommunication interface 105 of the wireless device 104, and can includea wireless provider selection, and/or a wireless service type and amountto be activated. In some aspects, the near field communication tag 360can further be scanned by the near field communication system 425 at thepoint-of-sale 420, for example, for verification, authorization, and/orsecurity encryption.

The wireless service selection, near field communication tag 360 uniqueidentifier, and wireless device 104 related information may betransferred to a wireless provider backend system 422. The wirelessdevice-related information can include, for example, the InternationalMobile Station Equipment Identify (“IMEI”), an Electronic Serial Number(ESN), Mobile Equipment Identifier (MEID), and/or a serial number for asubscriber identity module (SIM) card installed in the wireless device104. The SIM card may include a SIM card memory for storing at least aSIM card serial number, for example, an Integrated Circuit Card ID(ICCID). A wireless device not utilizing a SIM card is contemplated aswell for use with the invention.

In some aspects, the information transferred may be in the form of anactivation message that corresponds and/or includes the wirelessprovider and/or wireless service selection by the user 412 andautomatically retrieved wireless device related information, the nearfield communication tag 360 unique identifier, and/orpayment/authorization verification from the point-of-sale 420. Theactivation message including the automatically retrieved information canbe generated by a processor including, for example, the processor of thewireless device 104 and/or a processor at the point-of-sale 420. In someaspects, the activation message may be transmitted over a provisioningchannel provided over a provisioning wireless carrier network 416 thatis available to inactive or unprovisioned wireless devices or via anytype of conventional activation protocols known in the art.Alternatively, the activation message can be transmitted from thepoint-of-sale 420 via any wired or other wireless communication type tothe wireless provider backend system 422. The wireless provider backendsystem 422 can include one or more databases wherein authorized uniqueidentifiers of a near field communication tag 360 may becorrelated/recorded when a wireless service is redeemed and/orpurchased.

Although it is not required in some aspects, the provisioning wirelesscarrier network 416 may be used to receive the activation message via athe provisioning channel and forward the activation message in real timeto a subscriber provisioning wireless carrier network 416 operated by aservice provider for the activation of one or more services for thewireless device 104. Accordingly, the services requested to be activatedcan include at least one of: an initial “out of the box” activation ofwireless services of an unprovisioned wireless device 104 or deviceupgrades, device reactivations, wireless number changes, the addition orpurchasing of services including airtime, enrollments or content, andwireless number porting for wireless devices 414 that have previouslybeen activated or provisioned. In some aspects, the provisioningwireless carrier network 416 can be connected to a wireless carrierserver and forward the activation message to the subscriber provisioningwireless carrier network 416, either directly or through a destinationserver connected to the subscriber provisioning wireless carrier network416, to initiate service activation and provisioning of the wirelessdevice 104.

Referring now to FIG. 5, exemplary method steps which may be used toimplement systems of the disclosure are depicted in a flowchart 500. Inparticular, the method steps include ways in which the near fieldcommunication tag 360 of the airtime card 350 and the near fieldcommunication interface 105 of the wireless device 104 can beimplemented to activate one or more wireless service(s) on the wirelessdevice 104. At step 501, a near field communication tag 360 is providedfor an airtime card 350 during manufacturing. The near fieldcommunication tag 360 may include a unique identifier that cancorrespond to a wireless provider selection and one or more wirelessservices to be activated. For example, the unique identifier may includea first code corresponding to a wireless provider, followed by a secondcode corresponding to a wireless service type, and followed by a thirdcode corresponding to an amount. It is contemplated that additionalcodes may be included for additional services and amounts, securitycodes, as well as for production data for statistical analysis performedby the wireless provider, as it may be desired. Each of the codes may bea series of digits including letters, symbols, and/or numbers.

In some aspects, all of the codes, e.g. first code-third code, may beprogrammed to provide a unique identifier of the near fieldcommunication tag 360 during manufacturing and prior to distribution ofthe airtime cards 350 to the point-of-sale 420. However, in someaspects, only the first code may be programmed during manufacturingleaving the others to be programmed 505 at the point-of-sale 420. Thismay be implemented when it is desired to reduce the number of airtimecards 350 that are distributed in order to reduce inventory at each ofthe points-of-sale 420 or to increase security to deter unintendedredemption.

At step 506, a near field communication tag 360 can be scanned using thenear field communication interface 105 of the wireless device 104 and/orthe near field communication system 425 at the point-of-sale 420. Atstep 507, a second near field communication tag 360 may be provided atthe point-of-sale 420 depending on the wireless service, or combinationof wireless services, selection made by the user 412. Alternatively orin addition to providing a second near field communication tag, at 507,the original near field communication tag 360 may be locked. Locking ofthe near field communication tag 360 may include encryption withwireless device 104 information and/or programming of an additional codeinto the near field communication tag to generate a unique identifierfor the airtime card 350 and/or selection. At step 508, the lockedidentifier of step 506 may be transmitted to the wireless providerbackend system 422.

At step 510 the unique near field communication tag 360 codes along withwireless device 104 information is received by the wireless providerbackend system 422. At step 515, the wireless provider backend system422 can verify the unique identification code by searching for theunique identification code in one or more databases to make sure theunique identification code has not been recorded/redeemed previously. Atstep 517, if the system finds the unique identification code is notapproved, the activation of the wireless service will be stopped 518.Upon stopping the activation 518 of the wireless service, the wirelessprovider backend system 422 may send a warning message to the user 412(e.g., using the wireless device 104) and/or the wireless provider.Alternatively at step 520, if when the unique identification code isapproved (authentic, not been previously used, or the like),authorization of a wireless service, including payment verification, maytake place. At step 521, the authorized unique identification code isrecorded in a database of the wireless provider before, after, orduring, the activation, of step 525, of the wireless service on thewireless device 104 takes place. At step 526, the use of the wirelessservice activated may be monitored to determine when the correspondingwireless service has been expended by the user 412.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an operation flow diagram 600 with exemplarymethod steps that may be used for selling and activating a wirelessservice on a wireless device at the point-of-sale according to aspectsof the system of the disclosure is shown. In particular, the methodsteps which may be performed by one or more processors for the sale andactivation of one or more wireless services at the point-of-sale 420. Atstep 601, a near field communication tag 360 for an airtime card 350 isprovided. The near field communication tag 360 may be programmed with aunique identification code at the time of production before or after itis embedded onto the airtime card 350. No record of the uniqueidentification code is required to be kept in the wireless providerbackend system 422.

Optionally at step 602, the unique identifier may be locked on the tagto prevent it from being tampered with. Locking of the unique identifiermay include, for example, encryption and/or the programming of a secondcode onto the near field communication tag 360 at the point-of-sale 420.At step 603, before or after the unique identifier is locked, payment iscollected for the wireless service to be activated and corresponding tothe unique identifier. After payment is confirmed, at step 604, theunique identifier of the near field communication tag 360 of the airtimecard 350 can be submitted to the wireless provider backend system 422 tobe recorded in a database. For example, the recording may be done in anactive database that may be used for verification of active wirelessservices. During redemption, the unique identifier code(s) programmedmay be processed along with information corresponding to the wirelessdevice 104 in which the services are to be activated on by the wirelessprovider backend system 422 for service activation. Wireless device 104information can include for example the international mobile stationequipment identity (IMEI), the mobile equipment identifier (MEID),and/or the SIM card unique identifier. At step 605, after activation ofthe wireless service purchased, the unique identifier code(s) would bemarked as redeemed in the database of the wireless provider backendsystem 422 to prevent duplicate redemption.

Referring now to FIG. 7, an operation flow diagram 700 with exemplarymethod steps that may be used for selling and activating a wirelessservice at the point-of-sale 420 using a near field communication tag ofan airtime card according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.In particular, method steps that be performed by a computer tofacilitate the sale of a wireless service at a point-of-sale areprovided. At step 701, the user 412 or purchaser can select the wirelessservice, i.e. plan to be purchased, by terminal selection at thepoint-of-sale 420. At step 702, the near field communication tag 360 ofan airtime card 350 may be scanned using a near field communicationinterface. The near field communication interface can include forexample, a near field communication reader/scanner at the register thatmay be in communication with the computer system at the point-of sale,and/or the near field communication interface 105 of the wireless device104. At step 703, payment transaction for the purchase of the wirelessservice may be completed via a digital wallet payment applicationinstalled on the wireless device. Digital wallet applications caninclude but are not limited to, for example, Google Wallet™, PayPal™,Amazon Payments™, and the such. According to some aspects, the digitalwallet application can be used to transmit a payment to the paymentprocessing register at the point-of-sale. Accordingly, the paymentprocessing register can receive the unique identifier of a near fieldcommunication card and receive payment either through a salesperson or adigital wallet application.

At step 704, the activation code can be delivered to the wireless device104 on which the wireless service is to be activated. For example, anear field communication transaction can be initiated by thepoint-of-sale 420 near field communication system 425 to launch apreinstalled near field communication activation application on thewireless device 104 and to deliver the activation code to the wirelessdevice 104. The preinstalled near field communication activationapplication may automatically gather phone information including, forexample, one or more of: the ESN, the IMEI, and the MEID of the wirelessdevice 104, which can be used with the activation code during theactivation of the wireless services. Optionally or in addition to, thepreinstalled near field communication activation application and/or theactivation code, could be delivered to an email account associated withthe digital wallet, via the provisioning wireless carrier network 416,or a LAN network. At step 705, the user 412 may confirm the activationusing the wireless device 104. At step 706, the user may elect toactivate the wireless service at the time of purchase or save theactivation code for future use.

Referring now to FIG. 8, an operation flow diagram 800 with exemplarymethod steps that may be used for implementing an airtime card with anear field communication tag according to aspects of the presentdisclosure is shown. In particular, method steps to provide asignificantly faster and decrease errors associated with the use ofairtime cards are disclosed. At step 801, the near field communicationtag 360 can be activated at the point-of-sale 420. Activation caninclude receiving payment, verification of the unique identifier, and/orlocking of the unique identifier codes. At step 802, the near fieldcommunication tag 360 including the activated unique identifier code maybe scanned using the near field communication interface 105 of thewireless device 104. Optionally at step 804, the wireless device 104 maylaunch a preinstalled application that may be used to add the wirelessservice. At step 804, the near field communication tag 360 of theairtime card 350 is read by the application and the locked uniqueidentifier can be obtained from the near field communication tag 360.The user 412 can then, at step 805, confirm the activation of thewireless services that correspond to the unique identifier using thepreinstalled application for adding airtime services. At step 806, theapplication can add the airtime to the wireless device using forexample, a provisioning wireless carrier network 416 and the wirelessprovider backend system 422 of the wireless provider.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from thedetailed specification, and, thus, it is intended by the appended claimsto cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fallwithin the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, sincenumerous modifications and variations will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to theexact construction and operation illustrated and described, and,accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resortedto that fall within the scope of the invention.

1. A system for selling wireless service at a point-of-sale, the systemcomprising: a near field communication reader in communication with acomputer implemented by the point-of-sale; the computer implemented bythe point-of-sale comprising a processor and a storage device in logicalcommunication with the processor and a terminal; the terminal configuredto receive a wireless service selection that comprises at least one ofthe following: a type of wireless service and an amount of wirelessservice; executable software stored on the storage device and executableon demand, the executable software operative with the processor to causethe computer to: receive, through the near field communication readerimplemented by the point-of-sale, a unique identifier of a near fieldcommunication tag; receive through the terminal implemented by thepoint-of-sale the wireless service selection; receive a paymentconfirmation at the point-of-sale after collection of payment for thewireless service corresponding to the selected wireless service to beassociated with the unique identifier of the near field communicationtag; and transmit from the point-of-sale an authorization messageincluding the unique identifier of the near field communication tag andthe selected wireless service to a wireless provider system forrecording in a database and subsequent authorization of the wirelessservice; the wireless provider system is configured to receive a requestfor authorizing wireless service, the request for authorizing wirelessservice includes the unique identifier, the unique identifier beingassociated with the type of wireless service and the amount of wirelessservice, and the request for authorizing wireless service furtherincludes at least one or more of the following: an electronic serialnumber, an international mobile station equipment identity, and a mobileequipment identifier; and the wireless provider system further includingan accounting system configured to monitor and control the authorizedwireless service utilized by a wireless device, wherein the wirelessservice includes one or more of the following: wireless data, textmessaging, and wireless talk time.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein:the unique identifier comprises at least one code corresponding to awireless provider, a wireless service type, and an amount of wirelessservice; the payment confirmation is generated by a payment processingregister at the point-of-sale; the wireless provider system and theaccounting system are configured to control the authorized wirelessservice utilized by the wireless device; and the control by the wirelessprovider system and the accounting system include at least one of thefollowing: suspending voice calls, suspending text messages, andsuspending wireless data service.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein: apayment is transmitted to the payment processing register from a digitalwallet application installed on a wireless device; the database isconfigured to record the unique identifier of the near fieldcommunication tag after the payment confirmation; the database isconfigured after activation of the wireless service purchased to markthe unique identifier as redeemed; and the wireless device is configuredto transmit to the wireless provider system on an UnstructuredSupplementary Service Data (USSD) channel a request for authorizingwireless service that includes the unique identifier and furtherincludes at least one or more of the following: the electronic serialnumber, the international mobile station equipment identity, and themobile equipment identifier.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein: theunique identifier comprises at least one code corresponding to awireless provider, a wireless service type, and an amount of wirelessservice; the near field communication tag is configured to bere-programmable; and the executable software is additionally operativewith the processor to cause the computer to program the near fieldcommunication tag associated with the unique identifier with datacorresponding to the selected wireless service after the paymentconfirmation is received.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein: the uniqueidentifier comprises at least one code corresponding to a wirelessprovider, a wireless service type, and an amount of wireless service;the wireless device is configured with a wireless service activationapplication executed by the wireless device; and the wireless deviceexecuting the wireless service activation application to read the nearfield communication tag and to transmit to the wireless provider systemon an Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) channel the requestfor authorizing wireless service that includes the unique identifier andfurther includes at least one or more of the following: the electronicserial number, the international mobile station equipment identity, andthe mobile equipment identifier.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein: theunique identifier comprises at least one code corresponding to awireless provider, a wireless service type, and an amount of wirelessservice; the wireless service includes the wireless data, the textmessaging, and the wireless talk time; the wireless provider system andthe accounting system are configured to control the authorized wirelessservice utilized by the wireless device; and the control by the wirelessprovider system and the accounting system include at least one of thefollowing: suspending voice calls, suspending text messages, andsuspending wireless data service.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein: theunique identifier comprises at least one code corresponding to awireless provider, a wireless service type, and an amount of wirelessservice; the near field communication reader is configured to interactwith a near field communication tag comprising a radio frequencyidentification chip that includes ISO/IEC 14443 protocols; the wirelessprovider system and the accounting system are configured to control theauthorized wireless service utilized by the wireless device; and thecontrol by the wireless provider system and the accounting systeminclude at least one of the following: suspending voice calls,suspending text messages, and suspending wireless data service.
 8. Thesystem of claim 7, wherein: the near field communication tag forms partof a wireless service airtime card; the near field communication tag isconfigured to be locked utilizing encryption; and the wireless device isconfigured to transmit to the wireless provider system on anUnstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) channel a request forauthorizing wireless service that includes the unique identifier andfurther includes at least one or more of the following: the electronicserial number, the international mobile station equipment identity, andthe mobile equipment identifier.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein: thedatabase is configured to record the unique identifier of the near fieldcommunication tag after the payment confirmation; the database isconfigured after activation of the wireless service purchased to markthe unique identifier as redeemed; and the database does not include anyunique identifiers corresponding to non-activated wireless services ofnear field communication tags.
 10. A method of selling wireless servicesfor a wireless device, the method comprising: receiving, through a nearfield communication reader associated with a point-of-sale system, aunique identifier of a near field communication tag corresponding to awireless service; receiving a wireless service selection through aterminal implemented by the point-of-sale system, the wireless serviceselection comprises at least one of the following: a type of wirelessservice and an amount of wireless service, and the terminal beingconfigured to receive a wireless service selection; receiving a paymentconfirmation through the point-of-sale system after collection ofpayment for the selected wireless service to be associated with theunique identifier of the near field communication tag; transmitting fromthe point-of-sale system an authorization message including the uniqueidentifier of the near field communication tag and the selected wirelessservice to a wireless provider for recording in a database andsubsequent authorization of the wireless service; receiving a requestfor authorizing wireless service to a wireless provider system thatincludes the unique identifier, the unique identifier being associatedwith the type of wireless service and the amount of wireless service andthe request for authorizing wireless service further includes at leastone or more of the following: an electronic serial number, aninternational mobile station equipment identity, and to mobile equipmentidentifier; and monitoring and controlling the authorized wirelessservice utilized by a wireless device with an accounting system, whereinthe wireless service selection includes one or more of the following:wireless data, text messaging, and wireless talk time.
 11. The method ofclaim 10, wherein: the payment confirmation is received from a paymentprocessing register at a point-of-sale; the unique identifier comprisesat least one code corresponding to a wireless provider, a wirelessservice type, and an amount of wireless service; and the monitoring andcontrolling the authorized wireless service utilized by the wirelessdevice with the accounting system further comprises controlling by thewireless provider system and the accounting system at least one of thefollowing: suspending voice calls, suspending text messages, andsuspending wireless data service.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein:the payment confirmation is generated after a payment is transmitted tothe payment processing register from a digital wallet applicationinstalled on the wireless device; and the receiving a request forauthorizing wireless service to a wireless provider system comprisesreceiving a request on an Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD)channel.
 13. The method of claim 10, additionally comprising:programming the near field communication tag associated with the uniqueidentifier with data corresponding to the selected wireless serviceafter the payment confirmation is received, wherein the database doesnot include any unique identifiers corresponding to non-activatedwireless services of near field communication tags; and wherein theunique identifier comprises at least one code corresponding to awireless provider, a wireless service type, and an amount of wirelessservice.
 14. The method of claim 10, further comprising: executing awireless service activation application by the wireless device; readingthe near field communication tag by the wireless device executing thewireless service activation application; and transmitting to thewireless provider, with the wireless device in response to execution ofthe wireless service activation application, a request for authorizingwireless service on an Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD)channel that includes the unique identifier and further includes atleast one or more of the following: an electronic serial number, aninternational mobile station equipment identity, and a mobile equipmentidentifier, wherein the unique identifier comprises at least one codecorresponding to a wireless provider, a wireless service type, and anamount of wireless service.
 15. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising: storing in a database the unique identifier of the nearfield communication tag after the payment confirmation; and marking theunique identifier as redeemed in the database after activation of thewireless service purchased, wherein the unique identifier comprises atleast one code corresponding to a wireless provider, a wireless servicetype, and an amount of wireless service.
 16. The method of claim 10,further comprising: recording in a database of the wireless provider theunique identifier of the near field communication tag corresponding andthe selected wireless service associated with the payment confirmation,wherein the unique identifier comprises at least one code correspondingto a wireless provider, a wireless service type, and an amount ofwireless service.
 17. A method of selling wireless services for awireless device, the method comprising: receiving, through a near fieldcommunication reader associated with a point-of-sale system, a uniqueidentifier of a near field communication tag corresponding to a wirelessservice; receiving a wireless service selection through a terminalimplemented by the point-of-sale system, the wireless service selectioncomprises at least one of the following: a type of wireless service andan amount of wireless service, and the terminal being configured toreceive a wireless service selection; and transmitting from thepoint-of-sale system an authorization message after collection ofpayment for the selected wireless service to be associated with theunique identifier of the near field communication tag, the authorizationmessage including the unique identifier of the near field communicationtag and the wireless service selection to a processor of a wirelessprovider to associate authorization of the wireless service to theunique identifier of the near field communication tag; recording, in adatabase the unique identifier of the near field communication tag afterauthorization has been generated for the selected wireless servicecorresponding to the unique identifier of the near field communicationtag; executing a wireless service activation application by the wirelessdevice; reading the near field communication tag by the wireless deviceexecuting the wireless service activation application; transmitting tothe wireless provider, with the wireless device in response to executionof the wireless service activation application, a request forauthorizing wireless service that includes the unique identifier andfurther includes at least one or more of the following: an electronicserial number, an international mobile station equipment identity, and amobile equipment identifier; receiving the request for authorizingwireless service to a wireless provider system that includes the uniqueidentifier, the unique identifier being associated with the type ofwireless service and the amount of wireless service and the request forauthorizing wireless service further includes at least one or more ofthe following: the electronic serial number, the international mobilestation equipment identity, and the mobile equipment identifier; markingthe unique identifier as redeemed in the database after activation ofthe wireless service purchased; and monitoring and controlling theauthorized wireless service utilized by a wireless device with anaccounting system, wherein the wireless service selection includes oneor more of the following: wireless data, text messaging, and wirelesstalk time; and wherein the monitoring and controlling the authorizedwireless service utilized by the wireless device with the accountingsystem further comprises controlling by the wireless provider system andthe accounting system at least one of the following: suspending voicecalls, suspending text messages, and suspending wireless data service.18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: storing in a databasethe unique identifier of the near field communication tag after apayment confirmation; and marking the unique identifier as redeemed inthe database after activation of the wireless service purchased, whereinthe unique identifier comprises at least one code corresponding to awireless provider, a wireless service type, and an amount of wirelessservice.
 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising: programming thenear field communication tag associated with the unique identifier withdata corresponding to the selected wireless service after a paymentconfirmation is received, wherein the near field communication tag isconfigured to be re-programmable; and wherein the unique identifiercomprises at least one code corresponding to a wireless provider, awireless service type, and an amount of wireless service.
 20. The methodof claim 17, wherein the transmitting to the wireless provider, with thewireless device in response to execution of the wireless serviceactivation application further comprises: transmitting to the wirelessprovider, with the wireless device in response to execution of thewireless service activation application a request for authorizingwireless service on an Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD)channel.